Deep Sea

Chapter 3 - Under observation

Professor Laganà threw the newspaper on the table.- And this would be the thank you!-A large window behind the desk, the view included the bell tower of Santa Croce on the left, a beech grove on the right and an English lawn in front.- Man was born ungrateful.-

At his side Emidio Mancuso was cleaning the lenses of his glasses with a half smile on his lips.

- And this damned newspaper does nothing but fuel the controversy.-The professor had never tried to make a career by getting his hands dirty. He knew that among his colleagues there was someone willing to do it, but he didn't like to compromise.- Moria's detractors cannot find any other arguments, it is normal for this to be the case.-- I didn't come here to do politics.-Laganà was a stocky guy, a round face with two small eyes and a full mouth. A Sicilian of illustrious academic traditions, a luminary in his field, a correct man but ambitious, too ambitious not to have escaped the flattery and promises of the Honorable Moria.- He's a demon. Cursed is the moment I trusted him!-- It's now a done deal, and the clinic is producing its results.-Mancuso didn't worry about what he considered details, the important thing was that the business worked, and it was working.Laganà got up from his chair and began to wander around the office in the grip of a little exasperated nervousness. He was usually a quiet guy.- I was promised that everything would be sorted out in a few weeks, but here we are still, for months, figuring out how and when the clinic will have the permits in order! With a newspaper accusing us of illegal construction and a group of protesters at the entrance.-- Moria is just waiting for the Government's approval.-- We have just approved a project by the Province... of the Province, do you realize? -- They won't close a hospital for a permit that arrived late - Mancuso tried to reassure him - And in any case these aren't things that concern us, Manfredi.-- It doesn't concern me? If... if you know perfectly well what I gave up to come here. That Moria... I can only tell you one thing, so as not to be offensive, he is not a man of honor, as Sciascia intended him, to be clear...-Moria had wanted the building to be built there, in the heart of the Karst, a few kilometers from Trieste. The opposition of citizens and environmentalists was of no avail, when the MP wanted something he was willing to obtain it at any cost.- Your job is to keep the clinic going, and so far you've done it admirably. Continue like this and let those who have time to waste contest.-- I know well what my task is!-Emidio Mancuso raised a look of disapproval from the head doctor who continued to fidget aimlessly, put his little round glasses back on and glanced at the small group of demonstrators gathered at the entrance.- Nine. You won't be intimidated by those daddy's boys? They are harmless, they don't know how to do anything other than stand in front of the gate.-- The good name of the clinic is at stake, you understand? The thing that drives me crazy is that if I had known this before...-- Would you have given up? -- Yes, Emidio. I trusted you, it was you who proposed the transfer to me, and you know that it wasn't easy for me to leave Catania and come here to the north.-

- Great gratitude for having appointed you director of this hospital which everyone says is the best facility for transplants in Italy! -

Emidio looked like a handsome and gentle young doctor, but when he growled he showed his teeth like an angry Great Dane. Manfredi had known him for more than ten years, ever since he had taken him under his wing in the transplant department of the Catania polyclinic, at the end of his degree course. He had proven to be a very promising and resourceful young man, more interested in politics than medicine, which is why he had been called to Trieste to direct an ASL, the first step towards an administrative career that promised to be brilliant. He had known Victor Moria for a couple of years and had considered the project of a technological clinic, aimed at a particularly wealthy clientele, an opportunity to gain national visibility, an opportunity not to be missed.

Professor Laganà, involved by his young former assistant, had believed in a dream that had now come true but the burden of responsibility intimidated him, the tranquility of a routine job was compromised, the transfer and the related move had exhausted him.- Maybe you're right, Emidio. I think I need a break.-- All you do is work. Take a Saturday and a Sunday, take advantage of these beautiful days.-- Being fifty-four is different than being thirty-eight.-- I understand you. But it was worth it, Manfredi, believe me, it was a golden opportunity for everyone. Controversy be damned, those nine buffoons will get tired sooner or later. Moria will provide us with all the concessions we need.-Manfredi shook his head. He sank onto the leather sofa and rubbed his eyelids with his fingers. Reopening his eyes he saw the tall silhouette of his friend in front of him slightly blurry.- I'm thinking of taking a trip to Istria with Mansueto on Sunday. Are you coming too?-Emidio sighed and sat down next to the professor, patted him on the thigh and smiled.- I can't wait to leave.-